My Alpine Home

We have lived in our home in Alpine, Utah for five years now. My current goal is to make a larger more open home (which works great with our extended family) have a bit of cottage charm and seem more cozy. I hope you will follow along and give me encouragement as well as advice as I embark upon this challenge.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Visual Interest

The other day I decided to do something that is a Spring time daily ritual for me.

I toured the garden. I love doing this in the Spring and the anticipation of what might be popping it’s little head out of the ground brings me such delight.

Although it was totally different, I found the Winter garden to fill me with awe and wonder. It’s also a great time to see if your garden has enough visual interest.

I put on my waterproof boots and wandered into unspoiled territory. Before I stepped out there the snow had been untouched.

The earth seemed to be so quiet. Not even the smallest of creatures had come out to play. In the Spring and Summer this bench is often a resting place for quail.

Hard to tell under the snow, but that bundle of barbed wire is a large birds nest made by my sister, Julie. She gave it to me for my birthday years ago. It holds egg shaped (oval) rocks. She also made and gave me the table. Love her!

The roof of the nearby barn pokes above the fence. That’s the only thing I really miss seeing since we fenced the back yard. It was either that or never have any blooms. Our backyard was a haven for deer.

The waterfall seems to be sleeping under a bed of white covers. My happy frog and metal cat tails wait for it’s return.

A couple of watering cans remain outdoors. I usually bring the red one in, but must have missed it this year. What could hurt the galvanized one besides a little rust. Oh, and wouldn’t that be a shame? lol!

No place for a bird to take a bath. Maybe a cold shower. And the wheelbarrow fairy garden is no where to be found.

Beyond the iron fence my new rose garden has been put to rest. Hard to believe that in a matter of a few months they will have gorgeous blooms.

Nothings cookin on my outdoor stove and just remnants of last years Morning Glory grace the obelisk. I leave them to winter over. Come Spring I just go out and crush the seed pods before pulling them off.

This sweet little angel keeps watch over the garden. I can see that one small birdhouse will need some adjusting come Spring.

Gazing balls are great for Winter interest. Although it’s hard to tell there’s even one in the bird bath right now.

Right about now I’m thinking that I don’t need to worry about having enough visual interest in the garden. What do you think?

In the Summer the beds are so full of blooms that a lot of it is barely seen. Kind of fun to enjoy it blanketed in snow.

If you haven’t toured your garden this Winter. I suggest you give it a try. It really was joyful!

Hugs,

Jann

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27 comments:

Your winter garden has lots of lovely things to look at. I'll have to go back to see if you've posted about the fairy garden in the wheelbarrow, as that is what I have in mind for an old wheel barrow by the garden shed.

So still and so lovely with it's winter coat. The nice things about winter, for me, is all the indoor projects I can do that there isn't time for when the garden begins to grow agains. Thanks you for sharing another little part of your world. Patti@OldThingsNewhttp://patricia-krank.blogspot.com/

Oh Jann... I could not find my garden this morning in all this snow if I tried!... didn't you get blasted in the night???... we still are!... I walked out in about three feet of snow to feed the poor birds that were trying to get to the snow covered feeders... and Tessy looks like a little deer trying to jump through the snow... your place looks so pretty... BUT... I would rather see your flowers!!!... xoxo Julie Marie

Even in the dead of winter there is beauty in a garden. Yours is beautiful. I can't wait to see it during the growing seasons. And you do have a lot of visual. No worries, there is lots to see in your garden. I can't wait to begin mine. Hugs, Karie

Your winter garden pics were so interesting. You have so many fun things there. I believe I remember seeing your morning glories in bloom vining all over this summer on your blog. Love the gazing balls. Is it only my imagination, or does your little garden angel next to the birdhouse look like she is freezing? I almost expected to see her shiver!

That was fun to see your garden today. I just came in from touring mine. I had my boots on also, but because it is soggy from the rain during the night. We should have snow, but it's in the low 70's today. Crazy weather! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!Farmhouse hugs,Cindy

Jann, Your photos are gorgeous! I love your garden blanketed by snow, beautiful. We're still waiting for snow, and tomorrow it will be close to 70! I have a pair of "colorful" boots similar to yours, love mine too. :) Pam

OH so lovely Jann....now here, our 8 inches of snow and ice and the pristine loveliness....have just about melted and yesterday I went into the garden to get two weeks worth of dog poop lol !!! :) But I was smart..I did it before work when it was 32 degrees and still frozen :) HAD to do it as NOW ( how crazy is this ) we have rain on top of that still moist muddy melted snow yard and we are going to 60 degrees this weekend. Can anyone doubt climate change with this crazy unpredictable weather anymore ? Here in Western PA 60 degrees at this time of year in the past would have been unheard of. The last several years ? Crazy temps and weather has become the norm.

I loved seeing your winter garden...so pretty with the snow! No winter garden here right now...it got up to 60 degrees today and all the snow has melted. But I've heard that it is going to get really cold this next week...around 10 degrees. Crazy Ohio weather!!~Cindy

Hi, Great post. I found you through the blog hop. Now following you.Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance. Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that we just started, It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Here's the link in case you want to check it out. Thanks again.http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup- html

Hi, Great post. I found you through the blog hop. Now following you.Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance. Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that we just started, It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Here's the link in case you want to check it out. Thanks again.http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup- html